Sikeston players gather at the plate to congratulate teammate Vince Howard after hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning. (Josh Mills/Standard Democrat)

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Sikeston Bulldogs baseball team got a win under its belt on Tuesday afternoon, as they traveled to Cape Girardeau, where they actually took to the field as the home team against the Tigers.

Minor renovations were originally scheduled for VFW Stadium, and though they finished earlier than expected, head coach Kevin Self said they just decided to leave the game at Cape Central to avoid confusion.

Scott Droddy picked up the first victory of the season for the Bulldogs on Tuesday afternoon. (Josh Mills/Standard Democrat) [Click to enlarge]

Playing on the Tiger's home field, however, proved to be no problem for the Bulldogs as they scrapped out the victory 3-2 in seven innings.

In the first inning, Josh Pierce led off the home half, ripping a line drive towards left-center field only to be snagged by Cape Central's shortstop Blake Smith. What seemed like could be a duplicate of Scott City's contest from Monday quickly turned around as Scott Droddy then ripped a double over the center fielder's head to left-center against the fence. Although Droddy was left stranded at third base after a passed ball, the bats finally looked as if they were coming alive in Sikeston's second game of the season.

An error at third base to begin the second inning eventually turned into the leading run for the Tigers as Jared Green, batting in the eight-slot, singled to left field bringing in Hideaki Tanaka, who reached on the error.

Two batters later, Droddy who was on the hill for the Bulldogs, retired leadoff batter Brooks Osburn on a fly out to Pierce in center field.

Sikeston had no answer in the bottom half of the second, but after a scoreless top of the third, the Bulldogs were back at the plate looking for their first run of the season.

With two outs in the book, Droddy singled to left bringing up the No. 3 hitter Vince Howard. Howard quickly belted a two-run home run to left-center field giving Sikeston a 2-1 lead, and their first runs of the young season.

The second inning offense would be enough for a lead, that is until the top of the sixth inning when Garrett Stevens hit a single in the right-center field gap. Stevens was lifted for pinch-runner Jake Garner, who scored two batters later on a single to left field by Nick Allen. Going into the bottom half of the sixth the score was even at 2-2.

Sikeston went quietly in the bottom half of the sixth, followed by a one, two, three seventh for the Tigers.

In the top of the seventh Droddy led things off with a walk, followed by a single by Howard leaving runners at first and second. Seth Baker then hit a line drive up the middle that was ripped off by the shortstop who quickly doubled up Droddy at second base.

Cody Anderson came up after Baker and took reliever Tyler Brandt to right field for a single, putting the potential winning run on first base. Chase Ferrell then came to the plate lacing a two-out single up the middle to bring in Anderson for the game-winning run leaving the final score 3-2.

"I thought Scott Droddy threw outstanding," said Self after the game. "He threw really well. His breaking ball was thrown for strikes and he didn't walk anybody. He had a couple of 3-1 counts and he came back and got them, which I thought was big."

Droddy went the distance, allowing two runs, only one of which was earned, on seven hits, while walking none and striking out three. He was awarded the victory.

"Coming out for the first time I was a little nervous," said Droddy of his performance. "(Howard's home run) took a little pressure off of me on the mound. I could just throw it in there and let the defense do the work."

At the plate, Droddy also helped lead his team as he was 2-for-3 with a walk, a single, a double and a run scored. Howard was the big hitter on the day as he was 2-for-4 with a single, a two-run home run, two runs scored and two RBI.

Charlie Bohannon was also 2-for-3 with two singles and a stolen base, while Blaire Bohannon, Cody Anderson, Josh Pierce and Chase Ferrell each picked up a single. Ferrell's base hit proved to be the game-winner as he picked up the only other RBI for Sikeston on the day.

"Chase Ferrell's hit was the sharpest and best ball we've hit with a guy on in scoring position," said Self, commenting on the game-winning line drive. "It was a good time to do it. That was just a solid single through the hole, and that's all I was hoping for.

"I knew it was going to be down that line or through the hole," he added. "That's just where Chase hits it. After the pitcher fell behind him (in the count), I thought he was fixing to get a good pitch to hit."

Taking the loss for the Tigers was Tyler Brandt, who came into the game in the fifth inning in relief of starter Zach Wilson. Brandt threw the final 2-2/3 innings in the contest, giving up the game-winning run, on four hits, while recording three strikeouts and two walks.

Wilson threw the first four innings, giving up two runs, both of which were earned, on six hits while hitting one batter.

Leading the way offensively for the Tigers was Alex Shell who went 2-for-3 with two singles. Osburn, Stevens, Allen, Green and Shawn Prince each recorded one single apiece.

"It was a good ballgame," said Cape Central head coach Mitch Williams after the game. "Like I told our kids, I'm not disappointed with the way we played, but I was disappointed that we lost. Both of our pitchers threw well and both teams played well."

Self said that much of the reason that Sikeston recorded the victory was owed to their defensive play throughout all seven innings, particularly from right fielder Charlie Bohannon.

"Defensively Charlie Bohannon made some good catches in right field," said Self. I thought we played pretty good defensively and he went and got some outs in right field."

Self said that his squad will have to improve their hitting and relax at the plate to keep putting marks in the win column.

The Bulldogs will have the day off today, but will be back on the diamond on Friday against East Carter in their home opener. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m.